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Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore is hopeful the Owls can continue their 13-match unbeaten run and pull off a major FA Cup upset against Newcastle, after leading his team to the top two in League One in a promotional load.
- Darren Moore, who just completed 100 games in charge, is looking for a promotion
- Wednesday racked up 97 points and scored 104 goals in an incredible 2022
- Only Manchester City surpassed them in England’s top four divisions.
- Now Moore’s side face Newcastle in the form of Eddie Howe in the third round of the FA Cup
Darren Moore hopes Sheffield Wednesday can continue their unbeaten run and pull off a giant killing at Newcastle United this weekend.
The 48-year-old, who completed 100 games in charge of the Hillsborough side last week, guided them to second place in League One on Wednesday with an eye on promotion.
They had an impressive 2022, racking up 97 points during the calendar year and scoring 104 goals in all competitions – in fact, only Manchester City surpassed them in the top four divisions.
Darren Moore hopes Sheffield Wednesday can continue their unbeaten run and pull off a giant killing at Newcastle United
Eddie Howe’s side have also been in phenomenal form, but Moore hopes the Owls can extend their unbeaten run.
Unbeaten in 13 games and 14 clean sheets, Moore’s side are keen to put on a good image of themselves when they take on Eddie Howe’s high-flying side against a sold-out Hillsborough side at tea time on Saturday.
Monday’s comprehensive 5-0 win over Cambridge hasn’t done much to dampen the enthusiasm building at Steel City, though Moore has generally tried to downplay expectations.
“My focus is on Sheffield Wednesday, what happens elsewhere is not our concern,” Moore said. “We’re just focused on making sure we’re the best version of ourselves.
“I just want to say thank you because everyone has played a part in that record and numbers,” Moore added. It has been a wonderful calendar year, but we want to continue in the same vein in 2023.
‘It’s good to be in the top two, it’s where we want to be. I’m happy with that? Yes. Am I satisfied with that? Not because? Because we can get better, we have to get better as the season goes on and the way to do that is by working hard in training camp and carrying that work into games.’
Only Manchester City scored more goals than Sheffield Wednesday’s 104 across the top four divisions in 2022
Moore’s experience and easy-going personality have paid off, particularly with the man-management work he’s done with striker Michael Smith.
The 31-year-old had been struggling in front of goal before Christmas with a four-game goal drought, but a pep talk from Moore ahead of his match with Port Vale last week revived his confidence.
He scored twice against Vale and then added another brace against Cambridge to take his tally for the season to 11. The Wallsend-born forward is now basking in the prospect of an FA Cup clash against Newcastle, his boyhood club.
I had a conversation earlier in the week, me and Smudger, where I said this is your time to score. However, I did not predict that he would score two! Moore laughed.
Smith, who came by way of the famous local Boys Club which produced talents like Alan Shearer and Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, said: ‘The magic of the Cup is still there for me. I remember watching it as a kid with my dad, the finals at old Wembley and in Cardiff. It was a rite of passage, coming from where I come from [being part of the Boys Club]. I’ve never had a trial in Newcastle, but I’m not bitter or anything!
“I never made it to St James’ Park as a player, many times as a Newcastle fan. It would be wonderful to do so before I retire.